Figure 9. Enhanced in vivo tumorigenicity of SP cells and the anti-tumor effects of cdODN-SOC in BALB/C nude mice.

PANC-1 SP and NSP cells were orthotopically inoculated s.c. to the left dorsal flank of mice. On 50 days after inoculation, the mice were sacrificed to detect tumor formation. (A) The SP cells regenerated larger tumors than corresponding NSP cells at every cell dose. ***p<0.001 SP vs NSP; n=6. (B) Representative images of tumors in nude mice showing the difference in the tumorigenic potentials between SP and NSP and the anti-tumor effects of cdODN-SOC, as well as the drug resistance of SP-induced tumor to gemcitabine. For the PANC-1 cell line, as few as 1×104 SP cells formed tumors, while 1×106 NSP cells were required to initiate a tumor. (C) Mean data of tumor volume under different conditions. Note the ability of cdODN-SOC to reduce the tumor volume. ***p<0.001 vs SP; n=6.